Australian trekkers injured in deadly attack on PNG's Black Cat Track

Australians are among those injured when robbers attacked a group trekking in Papua New Guinea, reportedly hacking to death two of the group's porters.

The group, which included seven Australians and a New Zealander, had set up camp yesterday along the popular Black Cat Track in Morobe Province when approached at dusk by attackers reportedly wielding machetes, bush knives, spears and guns.

Four trekkers were injured, along with seven local porters, with injuries ranging from bruises and lacerations.

Workers from a local mining company were alerted to the attack and helped the injured trekkers walk to their camp, which also has a medical clinic.

The injured Australians are due to be flown to Port Moresby this afternoon.

Key points

Two local porters killed, Australians injured in attack

Reports indicate porters were hacked to death

Injured trekkers awaiting medivac from Wau to Moresby and Lae

DFAT warns trekkers to avoid Black Cat Track

Black Cat Track runs from Salamaua to Wau

Track was originally used by gold prospectors and saw heavy fighting in WWII

Stanley Komunt from the Morobe Mining Joint Venture, who was there when the Australians and the New Zealanders were brought into Wau, says they appeared to be traumatised but they were ok after some treatment.

"They were walking, they were able to talk. The local police were onsite as well. They talked to them," he said.

"We just provided support in terms of medicine, blankets, water.

"A doctor from the hospital in Lae came up last night and treated the tourists."

Regarding the attack Mr Komunt added: "About three or four in the darkness, they were attacked by this group. And obviously bush knives, there was a pop gun and a rifle, they couldn't tell.

"They just took their stuff and chopped up these porters and it was all happening so fast and they were confused as well."

He says the bodies of the two porters remain on the track and will be brought out by helicopter later.

Mark Hitchcock, a spokesman for the tour operator, PNG Trekking Adventures, says the injured Australians are now comfortable and resting, however the injured porters received more severe injuries and had to be medivacced to Lae for treatment.

"This is an isolated area, an isolated incident that shocked us all. Totally out of character for the track," he said.

"This is the first ever trouble that we've had on any track in Papua New Guinea. It's a difficult track the Black Cat Track and there have been some issues with other companies a long time ago, but of recent time there's been a lot development gone into the track since 2005."

It is being reported that the tour leader is Australian woman Christiana King, who lives in Lae with her husband and children.

Ms King is a registered nurse, and according the PNG Trekking Adventures website, she is an experienced trekker who specialises in the Black Cat Trail.

"This was a tragic incident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those lost," a statement from acting Foreign Minister Tanya Plibersek said.

"We also wish the injured safe and quick recoveries."

Trekkers warned to avoid Black Cat Track

DFAT is advising trekkers to avoid the track until local police have investigated the incident.

"Our travel advice for Papua New Guinea advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution because of the high levels of serious crime," the spokeswoman said.

A source close to the local police says there is talk the attack could be related to a disagreement between porters from PNG's lowlands and locals living in the highlands.

Major Charlie Lynn, New South Wales MLC MP and a Kokoda tour operator, says locals have been unhappy at missing out on profits from tourism in the area.

"I have friends of mine who have got trekking companies that go up there. And they've been almost at their wits' end, because neither PNG tourism nor the Australian Government have expressed any interest in addressing those sort of issues up there," he said.

It remains unclear who is responsible for the attack and local police have directed all enquiries to the police commissioner in Port Moresby.

Mr Hitchcock says the motive was robbery.

There are doubts over whether police will be able to properly investigate the attack as the local force is typically hindered by a lack of resources and manpower.

After the Kokoda Track, the Black Cat Track is one of the most popular treks in PNG.

The Black Cat Track is a rough track that runs from the village of Salamaua on the coast of the Huon Gulf, south into the mountains to the town of Wau.

It originally started as a trail for gold prospectors heading to Wau.

The trail saw heavy fighting between Australian and Japanese troops during World War II.

A DFAT spokeswoman says there is no change to the department's advice relating to other trekking trails in PNG.